With fertilizer prices continuing to rise globally, efficient and targeted application has never been more important.
According to the World Bank, fertilizer prices increased by almost 15% in 2025, while the International Fertilizer Association reported a nearly 150% surge across Europe between 2021 and 2022.
As a result, applying fertilizer precisely where needed, has become both an economic and environmental necessity. Guided by Agremo’s Plant Vigor Analysis, growers can optimize fertilizer use, improve plant health, and reduce environmental impact.
Project Overview: Agremo Plant Vigor Analysis and VRA for Corn Fields
Our client, Volitant Drone Technology, conducted this project to assess crop vigor and optimize fertilizer use via drone-based variable-rate fertilization (VRA). The goal was to precisely target nutrient deficiencies and improve field uniformity while minimizing input costs.
Client: Volitant Drone Technology
Crop: Corn
Field area: 31,8 ac
Mapping drone: DJI M3M
Spraying drone: DJI T50
Analysis: Agremo Plant Vigor
Prescription map: Agremo Fertilizer tool
Variable fertilization application: V5 growth stage
Treatment: zinc and sulfate
Measurement of treatment effectiveness: V8 growth stage
The first flight was performed during the V5 growth stage using a DJI M3M drone equipped for Agremo’s Plant Vigor Analysis. The analysis detected areas of poor vigor and yellowing, indicating possible nutrient stress across parts of the field. Guided by these results, Volitant conducted targeted field scouting to validate the findings. They collected two leaf samples: one from the Yellow (low-vigor) areas and one from the Blue/Green (high-vigor) zones, taking 15–20 leaves from each location. While walking the field, the team observed clear signs of interveinal chlorosis in the yellow zones, and further assessment confirmed zinc and sulfate deficiencies.
Based on these combined insights from Agremo’s analysis and on-ground scouting, Agremo automatically generated a precise Prescription Map in the Fertilizer Tool, dividing the field into two zones for optimized nutrient application. Using this map, a variable-rate fertilizer application was carried out with a DJI T50 drone. To measure the treatment’s effectiveness, a second flight was conducted at the V8 growth stage, again using the Plant Vigor Analysis to evaluate post-application results and quantify improvements in crop health and vigor.
Variable Rate Application Setup Using Agremo’s Plant Vigor Data
Using the insights from Agremo’s Plant Vigor analysis, a prescription map was automatically generated in the Fertilizer Tool, featuring two vigor-based zones with a 3×3 tile size for optimal precision.
- 26.7% of the field was sprayed with the maximum rate, targeting low-vigor areas.
- 73.3% of the field received the minimum rate, covering zones with adequate vigor.
- This resulted in a 36.7% reduction in fertilizer use compared to uniform application.
Application details:
- Equipment: DJI T50
- Flight speed: 26.9 ft/s (8.2 m/s)
- Route spacing: 29.66 ft (9.04 m)
- Flight altitude: 9.84 ft (3 m)
Treatment Effectiveness Verified by Agremo Vigor Analysis
A second flight was conducted at the V8 growth stage to assess the treatment’s effectiveness. By comparing post-application vigor maps with pre-treatment data, Agremo enabled Volitant Drone Technology to see exactly how the targeted fertilizer application improved crop performance and field uniformity.
Results and Insights: Corn Vigor Improvement With Drone-Based VRA
This project demonstrates how Agremo’s precision analysis and variable rate fertilization can help farmers save resources, improve crop performance, and ensure long-term sustainability.
The impact of targeted fertilization was substantial:
- Poor vigor areas reduced from 33.36% to 4.37% → an 85% reduction.
- Excellent vigor increased from 15.19% to 69.15% → a 355% improvement.
- Overall field vigor increased by 34 % (from 49.26% to 83.48%).
- 36.7% fertilizer savings achieved thanks to optimized VRA prescription and selective dosing.
- Monetary savings for the 31.8 ac field used in this case study: ~ $800
- Estimated savings for an average 250 ac client field: ~ $6,000
These results highlight the power of combining Agremo’s crop vigor analysis with AI-based prescription maps and drone application, turning data into measurable agronomic success.
Key Benefits for Growers Using Agremo VRA and Precision Spraying
- Better crop vigor and uniformity – visible, measurable improvement across the field.
- Fertilizer savings of 36.7% – achieved through optimized prescription zones.
- Reduced poor-performing areas – over 80% fewer low-vigor patches.
- Increased fertilizer efficiency – every drop applied where it mattered most.
- Sustainable impact – reduced over-application and nutrient runoff.
- Higher return on investment – combining cost efficiency with yield potential.
Client Testimonial: Drone VRA Success With Agremo
“With Agremo’s analysis, we could clearly identify where our crops were struggling and adjust fertilizer rates accordingly. After implementing the VRA map, we saw a clear improvement in crop health and uniformity across the entire field. The ability to make data-driven decisions gave us confidence, and the results exceeded our expectations.”
